Maybe that’s why he’s always played with that unrelenting fury, that snarl on his face and that chip the size of a boulder on both shoulders.

It all makes sense when you trace Garnett’s steps from his hometown in South Carolina to his stint at Chicago’s Farragut Academy alongside Windy City hoops legend Ronnie Fields and then into superstardom in the NBA.

The Hall of Fame beckons. But no one was sure how the experiment that was KG would work out when he bucked the system as a high school senior and became the first prep star in two decades to forego his college eligibility and declare for the NBA Draft.

Being just a couple of years older than Garnett myself, I remember thinking he must have been an absolute lunatic for thinking he could do something like that. Deep down, I was rooting for him to succeed. And not so see him start a movement, which came in the wake of his decision, but because he played with the sort of heart and unbridled passion that those of us who love the game unconditionally have always admired and respected.

If this was indeed the end of the road for KG, if he was done playing the game the way only he can, it would have been the end of an era. Sure, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Dwight Howard and all of the others high school stars who followed Garnett’s lead directly into the NBA will go on, some longer than others.

But KG is the OG of the movement, the trendsetter and the man whose courage when was still just a teenager, changed the game. It wouldn’t have been easy watching him walk away from the game right now. His high school buddy Fields serves as a constant reminder of the thin line between KG becoming a legendary figure in the game instead of a sad footnote in the history of the game.

There was a definitive shock to the system when Garnett burst onto the NBA scene. Purists swore his skinny frame and raw game wouldn’t last, that he’d be lucky to survive his first season. So for him to go on to define his for his era and beyond, along with Tim Duncan, of course, is rather remarkable.

His tireless work ethic and outright refusal to fail served as inspiration for many of the high schoolers who followed in his footsteps. They’ve talked about it for years in locker rooms around the league. You only wish it had done the same for more of them.

Watching Garnett finish this season with the Celtics convinced me that retirement shouldn’t even be an option. He still has the chops to play at an extremely high level. He’s still a factor in this league, should he choose to crank it back up for another year.

But I’m sure Garnett took a look at this most recent Draft class, saw kids half his age walk across that stage and shake hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern the same way he did all those years ago, and felt the footsteps of Father Time closing in on him. He knows that this is a young man’s game, that every player, including the all-time greats, have an expiration date.

If he’d made the call to hang it up today, how can you, Celtics’ boss Danny Ainge, coach Doc Rivers, the city of Boston or anyone else on the planet do anything but respect his decision and applaud him for a job well done?

None of this was guaranteed anyway, not one second of the past 17 seasons was a lock for Garnett. And yet he’s given every ounce of his energy to the game for 17 seasons.

It’s good that we haven’t seen the last of him in a NBA uniform, a Celtics uniform.

But make no mistake, when he does decide to hang it up, he’s earned the right to go out on his own terms!

Lol let this losers gooo he’s the biggest trash talking dirty cheap shoots crybaby in the nba.
To all yo he ain’t winning jack shiiiiiiiittttt anymore so get over yourself. We can crown him the biggest cheap shot n trash talking player in the world.
Gaaaaah!

A a Celtic fan for more than 60 years, I’m excited to see Mr. Garnett returning. Also, I really hope RayRay comes back -the poor shooting at the end was, of course, from the bad ankle. Be well, Mr. Allen, and GO CELTICS

KG has done very well for the game and should be recomended. He is a top player, bravoo man, active play at top level for 17 yrs is not a small thing. KG is still a top player so i don’t think retirement should be an issue cos, he has the power to play at top level agian.

I will be so, so happy if that Yahoo article is right. The C’s took the Heat to Game 7 with Pierce off his game, Allen almost non-existent, and extremely poor bench production. I really think they have a shot at it all if he comes back and they keep him at Center.

KG really is a warrior. He had a decent enough regular season, and put it one hell of an impressive playoff run. I’ve been a fan for ages, and seeing him still able to perform at this high level is really a treat. I’m not sure if he has three years left in him… but with the right conditioning, and if he can stay healthy, and if they utilize his minutes intelligently and shrewdly, you kinow what? I think he could do it! Well, we’re all going to get a chance to see – go KG!

Kevin Garnett is staying with the Celtics. The Herald has learned this morning that Garnett has informed the club he will be back.

The 36-year-old considered retirement, but ultimately decided to return for an 18th NBA season — and more.

According to an NBA source and a source close to Garnett, the sides are working out the details of a deal that will be for at least two years and could possibly include a third.

“The decision came down to whether KG wanted to keep playing,” said one source. “And once he decided that he did, it was going to be Boston. He wasn’t going to leave Doc (River) and those guys and play anywhere else.”

Concerns about the mileage on his body were alleviated when Garnett’s numbers improved dramatically during these last playoffs and indeed down the stretch of the regular season. The increases roughly coincided with his move from power forward to center, where he was able outmaneuver bigger centers and pull them out to the perimeter while taking smaller opponents inside and scoring over them.

“Kevin was absolutely great this season, and he just wants to keep going,” said a source. “And when you look at how he was playing, there’s no reason for him to stop.”

I have followed that kid for more than 13 years, but i am from denmark, so i newer before had the chance to see him play live, i will go to USA, to Boston, or anywhere to see him next year, if he decides to stay, i really really hope that the man from Yahoo is right…

KG still got some fuel in the tank. Sign with teams that have young players, he still got the fire and the intensity that will rub off on the youngsters. He still got game. Chicago maybe, or Oklahoma. after that loss to Miami. They need players that have a lot of experience. KG’s got experience, AND he still has game.

There are 2 options for the C’s ,,KG can still play as PF / C at less minutes so that he can guide the young players in Boston (JaJuan Johnson and Fab Melo.. or he can be a full time trainer of those 2 big guys,Im sure it would be a big help to improve the skills Johnson and Melo.

I seriously would consider playing for OKC if I was KG, and OKC needs to trade Perkins, KG can give them the edge on toughness and unlike Perkins or Ibaka, KG can put up 15 and 10 every night, OKC needs inside scoring and defense, KG will give you that. KG has the best chance to win another ring with OKC before he retires, I would say Miami, but Miami has Bosh inside and there is no need for KG, Heat should be looking for Ray Allen or Nash instead.